Passport 9500ix and V1

[Sitting Duck]

Hey Guys & Gals -

Has anyone here tried using the Escort Passport 9500ix? I have used a Valentine V1 or several years, but I recently bought the 9500ix to compare...

My biggest problem with the Valentine is that it tends to false too much. I also think that the Valentine doesn't do a great job of detecting Ka-band around corners. Other than that, I really like the Valentine, especially the arrows that show the direction of the "bogey."

On the other hand, the Passport 9500ix comes equipped with a GPS that "learns" (or allows you to manually mark) the location of junk (usually K-band, door openers) and the location of speed traps, speed cameras and red light cameras. There is also an online database option that allows you to download locations of these items. I also think that the 9500ix does a slightly better job of detecting Ka-band around the bend than the V1. I do miss the "arrows," but the expert display on the 9500ix almost makes up for that...almost.

Another cool configuration setting of the 9500ix will allow the detector to automatically reduces sensitivity of the X- and K-band as your speed decreases (it uses the GPS to calculate your speed). The upshot of this is that when you're driving in the parking lot by the front doors of a CVS/Publix/Walgreens, the 9500ix isn't blazing away on the alerts. This can be turned off...

Clearly the ultimate test of any radar/laser detection device is whether or not it helps me avoid a speeding ticket. I've used my V1 without a ticket for about 3 years (before that I used a Passport 8500 successfully). If both the V1 and the 9500ix can help me avoid a ticket, I think I would prefer a quieter cabin with less false positives...might even make me more attentive to the alerts that I do get.

I haven't made up my mind yet, but I think the Valentine V1 is getting a bit long in the tooth - even with the latest programming. I do like the V1's directional arrows, but I think it could really benefit from the GPS and database features now offered by the Passport 9500ix. The new features of the 9500ix have started to grow on me. I'll give it a month or two and see how successful it is and how I feel about it as a tool.

Anyone else have any experience with the 9500ix? Any drawbacks?

[Elmar Bijlsma]

One major downside to the 9500ix. When you are speeding and cause an accident and end up killing someone, it won't represent you in court. Have you tried not speeding?

[hoolaman]

Clearly the ultimate test of any radar/laser detection device is whether or not it helps me avoid a speeding ticket. I've used my V1 without a ticket for about 3 years (before that I used a Passport 8500 successfully).

I don't own any form of radar or red light or laser detector and I've never had a ticket in my life. I'm also rarely late.

I'll sell you my system for $199.95.

[Sitting Duck]

One major downside to the 9500ix. When you are speeding and cause an accident and end up killing someone, it won't represent you in court. Have you tried not speeding?

Not that it's relevant, but I generally drive within 5mph of the posted speed limit.

I think I remember reading that the Florida Department of Transportation determined that the percentage of accidents actually caused by speeding is very low. Something in the neighborhood of 2%.

Thanks for your reply!

[Sitting Duck]

I don't own any form of radar or red light or laser detector and I've never had a ticket in my life. I'm also rarely late.

I'll sell you my system for $199.95.

Thanks for the offer, but I think you're over charging for that system. Maybe try Ebay?

I received my one-and-only speeding infraction (51 in a 45 zone) when I was 16 years old (almost 30 years ago now). Some might argue it was a speeding trap since the reduction in the speed limit was obscured, but whatever. I took my lumps.

Now...I did almost receive an infraction a couple of weeks ago while driving through Baton Rouge @ 3am on my way to visit my mother (who was in the hospital in Houston for emergency surgery). Planes were delayed (hurricane) so I had to drive.

I was driving 60 in a 60 zone, and the officer came zipping up from behind (going about 80mph - there was no traffic @ 3am driving into the storm). The officer switched to the left lane as if to pass. He suddenly slowed beside me for a few seconds...then he braked got in behind me and flipped on his blue lights.

The officer said my license plate frame was obscuring my tag and asked me to step out of the car to show me. "Oh great," I'm thinking. Once I get to the back of the car, he points at the tag and claims that he couldn't read the word FLORIDA at the top of the tag. It was a complete pretext - the word FLORIDA is in 2-inch letters at the top of the tag and wasn't covered by the frame at all:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/specialtytags/graphics/animal_friend.jpg

I guess he figured only a drunk would be driving from Florida @ 3am into the storm.

I thought about pointing to the tag and asking, "You can't read that? Have you been drinking tonight officer?" But I decided that discretion was the better part of valor @ 3am on the side of the road in Louisiana with a hurricane coming and kept my big fat lawyer mouth shut. Well, actually I offered to remove the frame right there on the side of the road, but he said it was OK and let me drive off.

Oh...and I'm never late. Made it to St. Luke's Hospital just prior to my mother going in for surgery. I actually had 15 minutes to spare.

Thanks for your reply!